Don’t Choose Between the Border of France and Switzerland: Have Your Croissant and Eat Your Chocolate Too!
Do you need more time to decide which country to visit on your next vacation? Why not stay at a hotel that straddles two countries and has the best of both worlds?
You can enjoy a croissant and a baguette for breakfast in France, then walk over to Switzerland and indulge in some delicious Swiss chocolate for dessert. Bring a passport if you accidentally wander into the wrong country after too many glasses of wine!
Here are some border locales:
- La Ciguena Hotel in San Carlos, Costa Rica, and Los Chiles, Nicaragua: This hotel is located on the border between Costa Rica and Nicaragua, with the rooms and common areas straddling the two countries.
- Hotel Arbez Franco-Suisse in La Cure, France and La Cure, Switzerland: This hotel is situated on the border between France and Switzerland, with the reception, dining room, and some rooms located in one country and the other rooms in the other country.
- Hotel Villa de la Paix in Moyale, Kenya, and Ethiopia: This hotel is located in Moyale, which is split between Kenya and Ethiopia, with the rooms and facilities on both sides of the border.
- Victoria Falls Hotel in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe and Livingstone, Zambia: This hotel is located on the Zambezi River, with rooms and amenities on both sides of the border between Zimbabwe and Zambia.
- Hotel Internacional in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, and Haiti: This hotel is located on the border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, with some rooms and facilities in each country.
- Hotel La Perla in Baarle-Nassau, Netherlands, and Baarle-Hertog, Belgium: This hotel is situated in a unique town split between the Netherlands and Belgium, with the hotel’s rooms and facilities in both countries.
- Hotel Eurostars Lisbon Monumental in Lisbon, Portugal, and Madrid, Spain: This hotel has the unique feature of having a portion of its lobby in Madrid and the rest in Lisbon.
- Hotel Tierra Viva Puno Plaza in Puno, Peru, and Bolivia: This hotel is located on the border between Peru and Bolivia, with some rooms and facilities in each country.
- Movenpick Resort & Residences Aqaba in Aqaba, Jordan and Eilat, Israel: This hotel is situated on the shores of the Red Sea, with some rooms and facilities located in Jordan and others in Israel.
- Sheraton Iguazu Resort and Spa in Puerto Iguazu, Argentina, and Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil: This hotel is situated at the intersection of three borders, Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. It offers views of the famous Iguazu Falls from both sides of the border.
- Grand Hotel Bellevue in Lillehammer, Norway, and Helsingborg, Sweden: This hotel is located between Norway and Sweden, with rooms and facilities on both sides of the border.
- Hôtel du Palais in Hendaye, France and Irun, Spain: This hotel is located in the Basque Country, with some rooms and facilities in France and others in Spain.
- Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel in Oulu, Finland, and Haparanda, Sweden: This hotel is situated on the border between Finland and Sweden, with some rooms and facilities in each country.
- The Westin Resort & Spa in Whistler, British Columbia, Canada, and Washington, USA: This hotel has rooms and amenities on the border between Canada and the United States.
- The Inn at the Border in Derby Line, Vermont, USA, and Stanstead, Quebec, Canada: This hotel is situated on the border between the United States and Canada, with rooms and facilities in each country.
Did you know?
Hotels that straddle two countries often have to comply with different sets of laws and regulations in each country. For example, a hotel that straddles the border between the United States and Canada may have to follow different tax laws, labor laws, and building codes on each side of the border.
This can make it more challenging for hotel owners to maintain consistency in their operations. It may also lead to some unique features in the hotel design, such as separate entrances or elevators for guests on each side of the border.
A little history:
Hotels that straddle two countries have been around for many years and often have interesting historical backgrounds. For example, the Hotel Arbez Franco-Suisse, which straddles the border between France and Switzerland, was built in 1862 and was initially used as a customs house for goods and travelers crossing the two countries.
The building was later converted into a hotel in the early 20th century. Today, it is a popular destination for travelers who want to experience the unique cross-border atmosphere of the region.
Similarly, the Inn in Derby Line, Vermont, USA, and Stanstead, Quebec, Canada, has a fascinating history dating back to the Prohibition era in the 1920s.
During this time, the building was used as a smuggling route for alcohol, with Canadian whiskey being brought into the United States through a tunnel that ran underneath the hotel.
The hotel celebrates its colorful past with themed rooms and a bar that pays homage to its bootlegging heritage.
